RDS Stadium (Leinster)

Leinster

RDS

55 Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Capacity of 18,500 Phone Number : +353 12 69 32 24

The RDS (also known as the Royal Dublin Society but now rarely expanded), was founded on June 25, 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland". The society's name is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin. These premises include the "RDS Arena", "RDS Simmonscourt", "RDS main hall" and other venues which are used regularly for exhibitions, concerts and sporting events - including regular use by the Leinster Rugby team during the redevelopment of their Donnybrook grounds. In 2007 and 2008 the arena's capacity was expanded to 18,250 (with additional seated stands being built), and the venue has been used regularly by the Leinster Rugby team for home Heineken Cup and Magners League games. The club also moved their Leinster Rugby Store to the RDS (between the two parade rings), and it is open on match days. The DART runs close to the RDS premises with Lansdowne and Sandymount being the closest stops. The RDS is serviced by bus routes number 7, 5 and 45, which stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the RDS on Merrion Road.